John G. Rowland

Federal prosecutors have dropped nearly half of the bribery charges against state Sen. Ulysses Currie, chopping seven counts that were connected to an outdated legal theory.

Currie, a Democrat, remains accused of accepting bribes from a grocery chain based in his district in exchange for favorable votes and legislation. He also is charged with lying to federal investigators.

Currie's attorney hailed the development as a victory. "We continue to puzzle over why these counts were brought in the first place," said Joseph Evans, a federal public defender.

Marcia Murphy, a spokeswoman for Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein, declined to comment. In court...

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Federal prosecutors have dropped nearly half of the bribery charges against state Sen. Ulysses Currie, chopping seven counts that were connected to an outdated legal theory.
Currie, a Democrat, remains accused of accepting bribes from a grocery chain...